Waterfowl seasons set; duck season split in two sections

South Carolina waterfowl hunters will get a split duck season with a 6-bird bag limit in regulations approved Aug. 28 by the S.C. Natural Resources Board in a conference call.

Duck season dates are Nov. 17-24 and Dec. 8-Jan. 27. Mergansers may be taken during the same dates, with a bag limit of five. Coots may also be taken, with a bag limit of 15.

Canada geese and white-fronted geese may be hunted Nov. 17-24, Dec. 2-Feb. 1 and Feb. 4-8 with a bag limit of five. Blue and snow geese may be hunted Nov. 17-24 and Dec. 8-Jan. 27 with a bag limit of 25. The brant season will run Dec. 9-Jan. 27 with a 2-bird bag limit.

There is no open season on harlequin ducks.

The season for sea ducks - eiders, scoters and long-tailed ducks - will run Oct. 13-Jan. 27, with a bag limit of seven. Sea ducks may also be killed outside of the regular duck season in Atlantic Ocean waters separated from any shore, island or emergent vegetation by at least one mile of open water.

Possession limits are twice the daily bag limit.

Dec. 1 will be the State Youth Day for waterfowl hunting. Youths 17 and younger may hunt waterfowl accompanied by an adult 21 years old or older, who may not carry a gun. The adult must, however, be properly licensed, including state and federal waterfowl stamps. Youths 16 and 17 years old do not need a state hunting license or state waterfowl stamp, but they must have a Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Regular duck season limits apply.

Feb. 2 and 3, 2013 will be Federal Youth Days. Only hunters 15 or younger may hunt ducks and geese on these days. They must be accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older who is not allowed to carry a gun and does not have to be licensed. Regular duck season limits apply.